The books are set in a far-flung, dystopian future where America is known as Panem, divided into 13 districts and ruled by an iron-fisted, totalitarian regime based in the Colorado Rockies.

As punishment for a rebellion decades ago, every year a teenage boy and girl from each district is chosen at random to participate in “The Hunger Games,” a gladiator-style battle to the death that’s broadcast throughout the country. When her younger sister is chosen for the Games, 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen volunteers to serve in her sister’s place.

Just how popular are these books?

They’re extremely popular with boys and girls, judging by the turnout for a recent “Games” book discussion at the Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill. All three titles have spent weeks on the best-seller lists, and “Mockingjay” sold more than 450,000 copies within the first week of its release.

For local evidence of its popularity, try to reserve a copy of the first book at one of the area libraries. According to Alex Arthun, youth services specialist for the Dauphin County Library System, there are 17 copies available and a waiting list of about 53 people.

Julie Gay, teen services coordinator at Fredricksen, said there are 195 requests for the first book in the Cumberland County Library System, while the audio recording has 51 requests.

Why do people like these books so much?

“It is very well written,” Arthun said. “Most kids I talk to get excited because it is such a page-turner and they can’t wait to see how it ends. They really become invested in the characters.”

“I was just so involved with the story,” said Elizabeth Drda, 14, a student at Camp Hill High School. “The characters were so relatable. The story line was meant for teens but it wasn’t a lot of the sappy teen stuff that you normally see in these [kind of] books.”

There’s also the main character Katniss. Tough, resourceful, smart and emotionally reserved, she stands apart from they types of heroines found in similar literature.

“She’s very strong, both physically and emotionally,” Gay said. Both boys and girls can relate to her.”

“Women like reading a strong female lead,” said Lisa Lindle, 24, of Mechanicsburg, who, though not necessarily a fan of the series, appreciates Katniss’ strengths. “It’s refreshing after [‘Twilight’s’] Bella Swan.”

Perhaps that’s part of the reason why the series has proven popular with adults as well as kids.

“There are a lot of adults reading it,” said Shawn Lutz, community relations manager at the Barnes & Noble in Camp Hill.

“It’s good for an older crowd looking for literature that doesn’t make them feel like they’re reading children’s books,” Lindle said.

The story sounds violent. Is it OK for kids to read?

Although the content is violent at times, especially during the games, Collins rarely delves into gore, preferring to leave things to the reader’s imagination whenever possible. There’s no sex or swearing, either.

“I would not hesitate to give [the books] to anyone in high school and mature middle schoolers,” Arthun said.

Plus, the books touch on a number of political, social and cultural issues, delving into such topics as the popularity of reality TV, importance of family, desensitization to violence, feminism and class struggles (Katniss comes from an exceedingly poor district, and she marvels at the extravagant wealth found at the Capitol).

Yes, the adaptation of the first book opens midnight Thursday and stars as Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss and Josh Hutcherson as Peeta, the boy who’s chosen to represent District 12 alongside Katniss. Lenny Kravitz, Woody Harrelson and Donald Sutherland also star.

So, is this like the “Harry Potter” and “Twilight” phenomena?

Sort of. There are similarities. All three series can be labeled “fantasy” and are mainly aimed at young readers. Like “Twilight,” “The Hunger Games” has a romantic subplot where Katniss is torn between Peeta and Gale, a boy she hunts with back home.

But for most fans, especially younger ones, the comparison stops there.

“The only thing in common with ‘Twilight’ is the love triangle, and that’s not even really that similar,” said Sarah Fake, 12.

“[They] are completely different books,” said Rebecca Easton, a freshman at Camp Hill High School. “One’s fantasy, one’s sci-fi and one’s a romantic fantasy. It’s such a wide spectrum that it’s hard to compare them in the long run.”

If you liked ‘Hunger Games’ ...

... then you might like some of these other books, recommended to us by librarians, children and adult fans:

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